In our current economic climate, getting approval to attend this year’s NCDC Conference may be more challenging for you now that it has been in the past. Here are four steps you can use to building a case for attending the Conference:
- Write down the three to five most important strategies or issues being addressed in your organization right now.
- Think about how you personally contribute to those strategies. How is your work aligned with the larger organization’s mission or strategy? Make a list of these “personal contributions to strategy.”
- Look at the Conference schedule and mark the sessions you want to attend that relate to your list of personal contributions to strategy, and also make a note of speakers or other people at the Conference you would like to meet.
- Write a short business case for how attending these sessions and meeting these people will help you contribute to the organization’s strategy. Use this business case to make your request for attending the Conference.
For example, part of a business case might read as follows:
At present, our organization is looking to increase major giving. At the conference, there are three sessions that I believe will specifically prepare me to achieve this goal: “Corporate Gifts and Grants for Program Funding,” “Moving a Program from Direct Marketing to Major Gifts” and “Major Gifts in a Small Shop—It Can Be Done” In addition, several experts in major giving will be presenting at this year's conference. I also plan on personally meeting with development directors from organizations like ours that have been successful in major giving.”
Once you get approval, you should prepare properly for the conference because you’re going to need to demonstrate that your conference attendance fee was money well spent!
Adapted from “Idea Exchange,” Association Meetings, April 2009
